One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about neutral color schemes is that they're boring, which — if you do them right — couldn't be further from the truth. But if weaving in texture, contrast, patina and pattern aren't enough to satisfy your urge for visual interest, a wee bit of color can do the trick.

However, you don't want to go overboard; that's why you chose a neutral palette in the first place. Check out these eight ideas for slipping in some more colorful hues without upsetting the balance.

You have to look for a moment to find the color in this bedroom, and then you'll wonder how you missed it. A pretty china blue print, edged in red, on the window treatments and bed skirt pairs with restrained red details in the bedding. Keeping the fabric backgrounds predominantly white preserves the room's neutral overtones, but those small touches of color add a vibrancy that's sensed as much as seen.

The colors are a little more obvious in this traditional space — bright books, hunting art, china and an Oriental rug — but not enough to detract from the tone-on-tone sensibility. French vanilla–hued walls, natural flooring and ecru linens preside over the peppier notes and assert their dominance.

This living room has been a huge hit on Houzz, and for good reason. Everything about it feels comfortable and familiar, yet fresh and clean. And those neutrals — vibrant woods contrasted with pale creams and beiges — simply glow together. Still, I don't think the space would be as engaging without the apricot throw pillows, which bridge the neutrals and create an irresistible warmth.

How many times have you heard it said that the best way to keep a neutral space from feeling flat is to layer textures? It's true, and this living area demonstrates the idea to lovely effect, from coarse rope and spooled detailing on the furniture to matte wire and nubby yarn accents. Soft chamois-yellow draperies warm the palette without calling attention to themselves.

Art can be one of the easiest, most natural ways to vary the palette of a room. This gallery wall works especially well because of the limited range — just a couple of colorful pieces anchor the grouping, which otherwise reflects the black, white and brown shades of the space.

This space proves that you can slip a little color into a neutral scheme without disrupting the effect. Gentle Wedgwood blue and vivid orange on the chest bring to life an otherwise toned-down palette. It can be tricky to mix warm and cool shades in a neutral space, but it works here: Orange and blue make natural partners, and they pick up the yellow and gray undertones in the rest of the decor.

Here's another stroke of orange and barely-there blue. Tiers of rustic and refined woods and gentle geometric prints diversify the beautifully nuanced neutrals, which are peppered with darker notes to lend additional depth.

Even without the cozy fire, this dining space would radiate welcome. The secret? The rough-hewn dining table, with red undertones that warm up the brown-on-brown scheme. An abundance of natural light streaming in and bouncing off the mirror amplifies the color variations and makes them feel alive.

Wonderful Ideabook! Adding some bright books, flower arrangements and a few small kitchen accessories really give some life to neutral room, like this neutral kitchen design! This is my new favorite Dura Supreme Kitchen design that was just featured in Alaska’s Best Kitchens Magazine as their grand prize winner for their latest Fall/Winter edition.

Thanks for the great article and pictures. I'm interested in adding blue to my all white bedding with a throw and shams. Now I might be brave enough to add a pattern in a slipcovered chair and maybe even drapes. Thanks again.

I love the rooms in photos 5 and 6, the horizontal wood on the walls, the whole cottage thing really appeals to me. Maybe neutrals in more formal/traditional things just bore me. They remind me so much of the safe decorating people do in suburban MacMansions.

This is definitely my option for decorating it is soothing and if you tire of one color you can update by changing the accessories. I love the wire sculpture in #4 where is it from? I loved this whole article. Thanks for sharing.

dortheaseybold - a pillow of some sort in the chair, possibly even the blue pillow off of the sofa and maybe a throw if you can find one. Some more interesting pillows on the sofa that add a pop of color or a pattern to give you several colors to pull from. I dont see any evidence of greenery or floral. Maybe tree and some small/mid height plants and a small arrangement on the coffee table would make a world of difference. I would add a tall vase or floral arrangement onto the dining table. Would need to see the living room from the other angles to come up with more ideas, especially to see how to pull it together with the surrounding spaces.

missmeghan: here are some additional photos. It's a new house. Combo of old and new furniture. feel it needs something to really make it special... looking for the right table lamps for the sofa. Suggestions for those would be so helpful. I was thinking clear or green glass with a dark grey shade.

Very good article and ideas. I suggested to my friend to do bookcases around the door in her narrow and long room (9.5'x20') instead of along the long wall, she said she have never seen such thing, now I have proof, thanks.

Well, not sure if you have a larger end table between the sofa and the two chairs by the fireplace - but the table at the other end of the sofa and the one between the two chairs - they both seem a little small for a lamp. I think a bigger coffee table would look better with the larger seating you have. The biggest thing I think, is the sofa/chairs/pillows are all very monochromatic... I think if you start there adding some more colorful pillows and accessories on the tables and mantel with some color, greenery and texture...

dortheaseybold,
you definitely have a great canvas. I don't know what your style preference or budget is but if you like contemporary I would add geometric patterned rug and if on the traditional side I think an oriental rug with rich color would be a great starting point. You could also inject some color and pattern by adding seat cushions to your dining chairs along with throw pillows and art to go with the color scheme you decide on. good luck. would love to see how it turns out.

dortheaseybold your room is wonderful. I like the idea of doing a zebra hide and the sisal (I assume) is a great foundation for one. I think your coffee table is too small and something larger and more striking would be nice. Then do some pillows that pop, with some interesting patterns to them and I think you've got a terrific room!

When I work with clients who collect art, a neutral palette is absolutely essential. The art and architecture are then supported by the furnishings & accessories rather than upstaged by them. It's a delicate balance. A neutral setting provides greater opportunity for adding layers of light and texture that give a space depth, comfort and interest. I love this work....it's a complex dance of light & shadow, texture & line, color & scale. ;)

Wanted my beach house in Australia to be fairly neutral, but loved the idea of soft blues and greys. Have added now and delighted at the result. Still neutral, allowing the cove with boats be the main event, but the decor adding to it.